The Legal Aid Society is condemning the Adams Administration over the reopening of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) office at Rikers Island, a clear violation of New York City’s sanctuary law.

“Granting ICE access to Rikers Island, a facility where New Yorkers—including noncitizens entitled to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence—are detained, is a severe breach of New York City’s sanctuary city principles and undermines essential constitutional due process rights that apply to all individuals, regardless of immigration status,” reads a statement from Legal Aid.

“Instead of standing with and protecting our immigrant neighbors, Mayor Adams continues to support the new (federal) Administration’s cruel immigration policies,” the statement continues. “This executive order will have a chilling effect throughout the city, undermining public safety by deterring noncitizens from seeking help or cooperating with law enforcement for fear of deportation.”

“In light of the federal government’s misuse of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport Venezuelan asylum seekers to a prison in El Salvador—based solely on the government’s assertion that Venezuelans over the age of 14 are members of the Tren de Aragua gang—Mayor Adams is creating a pipeline for the federal government to expel these individuals to El Salvador.”

Legal Aid is considering all options—including litigation—to protect the people and communities we serve.